“Yeah, but I haven’t told my boss I’m going to be MIA for a few days.” In all the excitement, I forgot to call in. I was hoping to explain and maybe swap shifts with a hostess who can also wait tables. I can work if I can sit down the whole time.
“That’s all handled.”
“What do you mean?
“St. James knows about your ankle.”
I suck in a breath. Getting on St. James’ radar is NOT what I want. I want to ask what else he knows about me, but I also don’t want to know.
Inferno is divided into two areas. Up front are steakhouse-style booths and mahogany-paneled private rooms. It’s lunch hour, so this part of the restaurant is packed.
In the back is the gentleman’s club. I don’t work back there unless it’s super slammed. I know there are secret poker games, gambling, and illegal dealings of all kinds that happen at all hours.
Today, there are a few groups doing business at the round tables, ignoring the burlesque dancer on stage. I wave to the dancer, Angel, as I pass. She waves her white feather fan and winks at me.
Daria guides us back through the club all the way to the VIP area above the dancers’ stage. I’ve waited tables in the front of Inferno and the dancers’ area, but I’ve never been up here before.
This area is reserved for Fraternitas members.
Daria stops at a central booth set against the wall. “How’s this?”
“Fine.” Jaeger sets me down, and I scoot deep into the circular seat.
Two tattooed guys sit at the bar. They have to be Fraternitas if they’re in the VIP area. Sure enough, both wear skull rings on their middle fingers. Jaeger gives them a nod.
“I’ll be right back.” He digs his hand into my hair and tugs my head back, kissing the heck out of me. I’m gasping into his mouth before he drags his lips down to my collarbone and sucks hard enough to bruise.
Then he’s gone, and I’m rubbing the wet spot he left on my skin. It’s probably bright red. A claiming mark.
Stealthy as a shadow, Daria slides into the booth in his place. She leans close, the jewel in her nose ring glittering. “Girl, what is going on?”
I’m still catching my breath. “It’s a long story.”
“So tell me,” she hisses. A shadow falls over the table, and we straighten, only to see it’s another waitress, Honey.
“What are you guys doing?” she asks, and we hush her.
“Elodie is here… with someone.” Daria bounces her eyebrows.
“Like…” Honey’s gaze darts to the thugs at the bar. “One of them? Which one?”
“His name is Jaeger,” I say.
“Oooh,” Honey murmurs. “He’s fine. So is his brother. Have you met Kaiser yet?”
“No.” I didn’t even know Jaeger had a brother.
“He’s scary. Scary hot.” Honey pretends to swoon.
“Come on, girl.” Daria raps the table. “Spill. You have thirty seconds before Lucy catches us.” Lucy is the head manager of Inferno and rules with an iron fist. She can be more intimidating than all the Fraternitas members combined.
“Lucy will forgive us,” Honey says. “She likes you.”
“No, she doesn’t,” Daria shoots back without taking her eyes off me.
“She does,” Honey insists. It’s an old argument, one they’ve happily bickered about in snatches of conversation between serving customers.
I scoot to the edge of the booth. “Help me up. I want to go to the ladies’ room.”
